(CNN) - Tucked in the Senate bipartisan plan on immigration reform are key requirements for prospective immigrants. Among them, a knowledge of English, civics and history of the United States. Assimilation is clearly an underlying issue in the debate.

A new study shows that second-generation Americans have enjoyed success in becoming a part of America.

Roughly 6 in 10 said they consider themselves to be a "typical American," though they maintain ties to their ancestral roots. That's almost double the number of immigrants who identify that way, according to a new Pew Research Center study released Thursday.

Like Jose Martinez, 29, a son of Dominicans who owns his own graphic design company in New Jersey.

"It's important to try and hold on to your roots, stay Latino," he said. "But you have to be American at the same time."

And Suvrat Bhargave, 44, a son of Indian immigrants, who likes to say Indian is an adjective but American is the noun when he describes himself as Indian-American.

Martinez believes his interests - he likes snowboarding, biking and social media - jibe with mainstream America. His ethic of hard work, strong among immigrants in general, puts him on a path of achieving the dream.

"I'm on my way to doing better than my father," he said.

Bhargave, too, believes he is in a better place in life now than his father was at the same age. There is a lesser sense of isolation.

With his father's generation, two worlds were clearly defined. India and America.

"I think we have created a world that fits us," said Bhargave, a child psychiatrist in suburban Atlanta.

The comments and the findings of the Pew study are not surprising, perhaps, when you think about the waves of immigration in this country. The biggest difference is that the bulk of America's newest second-generation adults are not Europeans. Half of the 44 million immigrants who arrived in America after the passage of landmark immigration legislation in 1965 are Latinos and about a quarter are from Asia.

The roughly 20 million adult U.S.-born children of these immigrants are substantially better off than immigrants on several measures of socio-economic progress, said the Pew study, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

More second-generation immigrants - half of whom are Hispanics and Asian-Americans - are college graduates and have higher incomes. Second-generationers' median household income is $58,000, compared to $46,000 for immigrants. More are homeowners and fewer - 11% versus 18% - live in poverty.

"In all of these measures, their characteristics resemble those of the full U.S. adult population," said the Pew report, based on an analysis of the latest U.S. Census Data.

Second-generation Latinos and Asian-Americans differ from the general population in the importance they place on hard work and career success. They identify more with the Democratic Party rather than the GOP.

That is more in line with the values and beliefs held by immigrants.

But they are more likely to speak English than immigrants. They are also more likely to marry outside their ethnic or racial group.

The comparisons hold up across racial and ethnic groups, Pew found, though it recognized vast differences between different groups. Many Hispanic immigrants have relatively low levels of formal education and work in low-skilled, low-paying jobs, while the majority of Asian immigrants are more educated and are in higher-skilled occupations.

The study said:

These large racial or ethnic group differences in the human capital of recent immigrants are echoed in the socioeconomic profile of the second generation," the study said. "For example, some 55% of second-generation Asian-Americans have a bachelor’s degree or more, compared with 21% of Hispanics. There are also gaps in household income and poverty rates among second- generation Hispanics and Asian-Americans.

The Pew report points out that some immigration experts have questioned whether the children of modern-day immigrants will be able to experience the upward mobility of previous generations.

The skeptics cite many factors: Most modern immigrants are non-white and thus face deeply ingrained social and cultural barriers; about a quarter of today’s immigrants (the vast majority of whom are Hispanic) have arrived illegally and thus must navigate their lives in the shadows of the law; globalization and technology may have eliminated many of the jobs that provided pathways to the middle class for earlier generations of hard-working but low-skilled immigrants; the relative ease of travel and communication have enabled today’s immigrants to retain their ties to their countries of origin and may have reduced incentives to adapt to American customs and mores.

The report warns against making judgments based on the data that was analyzed, saying that data trends do not reach far back enough in history.

But the findings are important as the immigration debate heats up in Congress.

And because of this fact: Consider that virtually all of the growth (93%) of America's working-age population between now and 2050 will be accounted for by first-generation immigrants and their U.S.-born children. That's according to Pew's projections given current trends.

soundoff(82 Responses)

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The rants here aren't really about illegal entry into the U.S., are they? The article speaks about educated people who have assimilated into the core values of this country without abandoning their own, but every other word written here is "illegal". Truth of the matter, I figured this country out when I heard my father, a Puerto Rican who had run a business in NYC since 1951, tell me the kinds of names people would call him in the street when I was a child. And yes, I was born and live in the U.S., so if you don't like it that I'm grateful for my extended family and their culture, YOU move out...

Well said Jorge. i came to this country with very little but was blessed with a good education. Opened a factory, and employed many many immigrants. i never checked their status.... just whether they worked hard. I never paid minimum wage, i paid these people a decent living wage... Pleased they have mostly done well and their chidren have excelled. i never used the word 'illegal' i was blessed to be a part of their journey of life. The people who criticize these iimmigrantswith their mean rants represent the worst of thiswonderful country.

MIDTOWN MANHATHAN, i Just took a little break in my overnight shift, am Latino Inmigrant and look hilarius that people always saying that ilegal inmigrants takes american jobs, lol, lol, lol, ive been working 4 years parking busines, and ive never seen a american looking for this type of jobs, only, hispanics, hatian and african people, we do the job that you people dont like to do, if not come over here, most parking busines in nyc have opening, we start us$ 8./hr, with union benefit, dont worried maybe you can afford pay to live in the city 150 US DOLLAR A week for a room.

Lets talk about the other side of the immigration debate. Giving amnesty to mexican immigrants and asian immigrants will also give amnesty to the thousands of Irish, Scotish,English, Italian and Greek immigrants (etc.etc.) that have overstayed their work visas. I have a good friend named Simon Slone from Belfast, Ireland that would love to be an American.

I have many hispanic friends that do not have Meso or American Indian blood in them and are quite aware they are white european spainiards. Im Keetowah Cherokee or Ani yun we ah, in my native Tsalagi and Irish. By todays racial standards by the EEOC I have to choose to check the "mixed race box". Gv ge yu.

Most white european americans I know love asians and asian culture. They just totally disagree with a lot of the Eastern Governments. Bruce Lee is a hero to us. I say that being both American Indian and Irish.

If you are 100% meso American Indian, speak spanish and from Mexico, you are NOT hispanic. You are Meso or South American Indian. yes we are West Indians because we are from the West Indies. This is simple stuff people.

Simply learning oral American Indian history and Spanish history has taught me that the American Govt is trying so hard to invent a new definition of ethnically hispanic. Most mexicans have not been taught true history in their native country or are uneducated because their government and educational systems (although most had little to no historical education before coming to America) never taught them....on purpose.

For more insight I refer all of you to "the zimmerman note". That may tell you who is behind this new definition of ethnically hispanic. But I warn you, it may shock you. Gv ge yu. Unfortunatly after WW2 we brought the enemy home with us "operation paperclip". This isnt conspiracy nonsense either. May the Most High give you eyes to see.

I actually hope not many people have learned from you because Latin is not a white language. It descended from the Proto-Indo-European family language. It evolved to become a language in the city Latium (modern day Rome). Roman might like to be called whites, but just because they are located in Europe, that does not make them white. Romans, France, Spaniards and other mediterrenian regions are way too mixed to be called whites. Don’t you see their skin color and general complexion, or their curly hair? Olive skin tone and curly hair is not very Caucasian dear.

Most Americans are way too stupid to discuss immigration with. All you white boys were once illegal immigrants yourselves foo's, just you murdered your way into America.

Go ahead, send the illegals home, and watch how the entire world economy collapses within less than 60 days. No illegals equal no harvest equals massive recession equals global meltdown.

Sounds real dramatic huh? Well, I wouldn't expect Americans to understand what the economists predict – after all, none of y'all even believe in Global Warming. (But you do think some fat white man sits up in the clouds and can be viewed sometimes from 747's). Stupid is as stupid does.

"Second-generation Latinos and Asian-Americans differ from the general population in the importance they place on hard work and career success. They identify more with the Democratic Party rather than the GOP. " Democrats are hard workers? I think they mixed up the parties on that one. Stay at home and receive government handouts fits the Dems better.

I'm sure there are democrats receiving government handouts and are lazy. However, I'm also sure and a lot of people will agree that there are Republicans/conservatives receiving government handouts as well, shouting anti-fed slogans in their medicare-funded motorized wheelchairs. Just look at the electoral map, red states rely more on government handouts.

Democrats believe that thestateshouldtakecare of most ifnotall peoples need. In return the state takes away most, if not all of their income as tax. If that is the case there is no need or motivation for hard work.

Anti-immigrant hate groups have existed since the founding of this country.The history of American Natives, Irish, Black, Italian, Jewish, Asian, and Hispanic immigrants is filled with struggles against intolerance, hate, prejudice, and violence.

I would love to know where you came up with the definition of "second generation". The definition of children of immigrants is first generation as in "first generation born in America". Growing up in the 50s and 60s, if you were a child of immigrants you were first generation, not second.

They mean the second generation of citizens. Technically, a naturalized citizen is the first generation, their kids – second. However, when it comes to born citizens, the kids are indeed the first generation of citizens by birth.

Yes! CNN reporters are so stupid. That when a non-immigrant write a story about immigrant. What school they went to? So freaking stupid. Don't know what is the definition of what is 1st/2nd born generation is.

"about a quarter of today’s immigrants (the vast majority of whom are Hispanic) have arrived illegally"

If they arrive illegally, they are not immigrants. They are invaders. They are citizens of another country who have illegally invaded the United States for purposes which may be harmful to the country and its citizens. Lumping them in with legal entrants as "immigrants" is part of the process that apologists use to try to make us believe that their crimes are not important or harmful.

So what you are saying is that anyone that breaks the law is the same as one that does not. What you are saying is anyone can break the law if they feel like and anyone obeying the law is a fool. What you are saying is anyone that can sneak over the border from Mexico has a right to be here above anyone trying to immigrate legally to this country from Europe, Asia, Africa, etc. Most of all you are saying that anyone that wants to come to this counry illegally, which would be 100's of millions around the world, should just come illegal and live their lives. You are saying law is meaningless and turn this nation into a third world nation that can't provide for the number of people living in it.

Is there anyone at the helm asking just how many immigrants and population our country needs? Admiration societies about how industrious they are or how well the second generation may do – do not answer the question of sustainability. Our population has almost doubled in sixty years, if it does the same over the next sixty years – we will be marching toward one billion population. So, is some future Obama going to issue decrees on forced abortion while bringing in millions? Will we be wearing face masks and paying fees to see what we once saw for free or even higher fees to fish and hunt what is left of our tagged and accounted for fish and game population? What will happen to our "purple mountains majesty", our waving fields of grain? Will we continue to prefer to import eager and industrious immigrants to pay for the benefits of all those hundreds of millions of laggard Americans? Is that really a workable plan for the future? Just wondering.

You're right, breaking the law gets you further in the US. Look at corporations and how they are run. Nothing but disgusting practices often illegal practices but when a large firm can afford bigger lawyers than the govt or can afford to have large lobby groups, they can practically do whatever they want inside or outside the law.

Who are lone wolf or som whte flash???? if you are referring to Indians, there was no country established back then, and they were to weak to defend themselves, im sorry they lost, but the world is a lot different now. Quit living in the past.

Where in this article does it say anything about illegal immigrants? My wife came here legally from Russia as a child. She had a green card, went through all of the requirements, and became a legal citizen when she was 21. The people this article talks about are successful college educated citizens who make positive contributions to society.

@Latina
I will agree. I hate the argument where people say illegals get "free things". That is NOT true. Legal immigrants who come here from poverty do that. I have seen people here on diversity visas issued by the gov't or people who come here whose family members have sponsored them who take full advantage of everything that is FREE offered by the gov't. Im a Canadian who has been living here since 2001. Came legally, have been paying taxes, paid out of state tuition. Got laid off during the recession while on a TN visa, returned to Canada. Tried to come back LEGALLY after being rehired and was deported. I had to get my employer to then sponsor me for an H1. It's 2013, 12 years and I am still on an H1-B visa. No green card. The system is horribly broken. I blame politicians who play with peoples lives.

one more thing; legal immigrants pay taxes like everyone else,illegals cant legally pay so if someone is collecting taxes from them,they are getting ripped off.you need a social security card to pay taxes and illegals dont get legitimate cards.

Thanks for covering less than 5% of economics. Can you please explain the social services, crime lockups, free medical care at our bankrupt ERs, welfare again, education dropouts and costs, damage due to gangs? The list of expenses go 1000 times what they put in.

Your statement is 500 years too late and is NOT even a qualifier for an arguement.By yor statement,if the people of the world never came to AMERICA,you likely would not have even been born and your "people"as you identify them,would still be living in squalor filled adobe shacks and livin in the jungle so think about how you've been enlightened by the others in the world instead of knocking them.

It's not hate trying to keep illegals out,it's self preservation we are talking about here,and as far as jobs Americans won't do is a mute point since Americans will do ANY job,we just want to be paid fairly,not with slave rates like big business wants.

It's not hate. I'm an immigrant myself, have been legally residing in the US for almost 18 years. I speak English, I pay taxes, I work. Why would I expect anything less from anyone looking to live in the US. It's not about, Maria. It's about what's right, it's about the law of the land. Now I understand that these days blaming hate is the "in-thing" to do because then we don't have to take responsibility for our actions. So we point the finger and blame someone else. Wanna be part of America? Respect it's laws and respect what it stands for.

and anyone who doesn't want to give away the resources of the country, and their children's and grandchildren's must be
1. full of hate
2. racist
3. bigoted
4. uneducated

what an old tire argument.
If you're a citizens and want to give away our resouces in order to get your high-horse feel-good joilies, you are a thief.
You are giving away what is not yours to give.
If you must ride your high-horse, please ride it down to south of the border to offer your feel-good jollies, with proper papers, plz.

Isn't every american an illegal? Ask the natives. Weren't they also forced to put up with people like you? Wake up and smell the coffee. The US is a country of illegal immigrants. And no one is more legal or more american than the other. The day the pioneers set foot on land, they paved the way for the rest of the world. And at the expense of the really true americans.

You should not apply today's thinking to something from over 500 years ago because it doesnt apply to America.At the time,the entire world was in a land grab and that was the way of thinking back then.I tired of hearing unknowledgeable people apply modern thinking to ancient decisions.Today's America is a different place and time , our corporations are squeezing out our jobs to the countries these illegals are coming from and at the same time,exploiting them here and using them to lower our standard of living.

the entire new world was populated by...the Spanish, mainly, who decimated the Native population. Much more so than the British. So the Mexicans are decendants of the Spanish, right? Does that give me the right to cross their borders?

Laura,
That argument is tired, and old, and stupid. There weren't any laws when the immigrants came, there wasn't an infrastructure or anything, just some indians living here. Not like we came here and they had full running infrastructures and we got to enjoy it. The country has been built. This is not the same country the settlers found.. get rid of that argument, it makes you look stupid.

That is a bit of a false statement. The "Native Americans" weren't really native to America. They just happened to mirate here pror to Europeans. That doesn't mean we "stole their land" as some would have us believe.

If humans were created less than 1000 years ago, yes the Native Americans could claim to be the earliest settlers. Too bad prove has them coming from Asia. So Asia is their proven native homeland, not North America. High School history is limited and statements like those give you away. At the Universities, we talk about evolution. Learn about it.

They should make a requirement to speak and read the English language before you can become an American citizen. Some of these immigrants are tested in their spanish language. Also some of them have dual citizenship. They need to make up their minds if they really want to be Americans they should renounce their country's citizenship. You can't have it both ways...

Its funny you mention the comment about being able to speak English before becoming a citizen. That is currently a requirement. Please perform your due diligence before making comments and misleading other people such as you are.

English language test is a part of the Naturalization Interview, with the following exception. As you understand, very few people use it.

You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR
Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignity, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen

Celebrate Saint Patrick day, take so much pride on the many NY ethnic parades then? Do you realize that less than 9 of those parades make up for Hispanics, Asian, and African countries all together (regardless huge racial and ethnical diversity in NYC), while the rest of them (about 15) are from European countries Germany, Serbia, Russia, Poland, Ireland, England, Netherlands, Lithuania, etc ? Let forget your roots to become American: forget you vodka, your beer, your wine... Damn it! Did you bring anything aside from alcohol in the Mayflower? Sure you did... guns!

Yes you must speak English to get your citizenship and you have to be a legal immigrant. Also, there is nothing wrong with having dual citizenship as long as you follow laws of both countries and are a contributing member whever you choose to live.

ROFL, Texas Gal, so you mean that all those native country folk and people from Birmingham, Augusta, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, and East Texas who can barely mumble out the FoghornLeghornGooberPylePootytangese that they pass for English and who can't spell one word out of four to save their lives, need to be deported? To where, to England and Africa? What makes you think they'll be recieved with open arms???

Texas Gal;
All aspirants to American Citizenship are required to speak and write English, plus to know the American History, laws, and Government (something that most ‘born in American’ don’t know: you are a great prove of it). Only immigrants over 55 years old, who have lived legally in this country, can take the Citizenship exam in Spanish. Still, they are tested in all the subjects that most Americans ignore about their own country. White Americans spend too much energy criticizing and trying to hurt immigrants, in a worthless intent to prove a false superiority, that too often forget to graduate from high school, and much less to attend college.

You do realize that America was founded by immigrants and even though someone is of a different race doe not mean that they have come into the country illegally. Not only that but many face prejudices by people like you who believe its fine to talk down to them aside because you believe that "more american than them".

The thing is that America does not need more immigrants. Nor does any country.They are already full of Americans. People need to stay in their own countries and make them better. At what point do you quit inviting people to live in your house? In reality do you need to invite people into your house or have you filled it up with your own children and family. Why does any country think they need to import people when they have the genes and enough people already to fill any voids.

I agree with you that America should be limiting the number of people we allow into this country, since there are no jobs for those already here! The entire world CANNOT live in America and we need to stop the influx of people from all over the world or America will be unrecognizable . . . it's almost there now!

I am talking about Swedish, European or anybody. So I am not singling out any ethnicity. We have them all here in American now. So the melting pot is full and I do not see why we need more people not born American.

what do you have your panties in a bind? Of course america was founded by immigrants, my grandfather was dark skinned, and was super pro america. So much so he changed his name from Vicente to James because he thought it was more "american"

About In America

What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.